Combination lock



Oct. 12, 19-37. F. BURNS' -2',095,22s

\ COMBINATION LOCK Filed Sept. 10, 1956 Patented Oct. 12, 1937 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINATION LOCK Fred Burns, Footscray, AustraliaApplication September 10,1936, Serial No. 100,084 In Australia June 2 3,1936 1 Claims; (01. 70-302 compact and of small proportions so as toprovide the necessary neatness of appearance when attached to hand bags.

The object of this invention is to provide a combination lock that willhave single control by means of providing one knob or handle, themanipulation of which is adapted to effect the dual function ofoperating the locking mechanism and also to provide the release of thecatch or bolt associated with said lock to effect the opening of a safe,bag or the like.

With the above object in view, this invention apprehends morespecifically a combination lock having a knob, handle, dial or the likefor manipulation purposes and which may be rotated in a clockwise andanti-clockwise direction to effect a predetermined setting oflockingelements in order to permit a bolt or catch to be moved by afurther manipulation of the control dial or knob whereby the safe, dooror bag may be opened.

An important feature embodied in the invention consists in that thecontrol knob or handle has associated therewith indication devices forselecting the combination of the lock, the locking members of which areoperatively connected with the knob or handle and the movable bolt orcatch whereby, on the locking members being adjusted according to thepredetermined setting thereof, the correct manipulation of the handle orknob permits the said bolt or catch to be moved for.

the purposes herein described.

It is a further important feature of the invention that the lockingmechanism comprises a plurality of spaced concentrically arrangedlocking elements adapted to be brought into a predetermined settingof'registration to permit the catch or bolt associated therewith to bedisplaced from the locking position in order to open thearticle or thelike to which the lock is attached.

.It is a further important feature of the invention that the lockingelements comprise a plurality of concentric collars or rings rotatablymounted in conjunction with the control knob or handle and the movablebolt or catch, the said collars or rings having means associatedtherewith whereby rotation impulses to the outer ring or collar aretransmitted to the inner collars or rings according to the direction ofrotation imparted by the handle or knob whereby by rotating the handleor knob in a clockw se r ant c kw e rection, the rings or collars areset to the predetermined release position in accordance with a dialsetting from the knob or handle to permit the said bolt or catch to beoperated and displaced from the locked position for the purposesdescribed.

It is a further important feature of the inven- 7 tion that the lockingelements are slidablydisplaced on a rib or ledge on the base plate ofthe lock which has formed thereon teeth, pins or the like to seat in thelocked position between the collars or looking elements whereby eachlocking element or collar has to be independently set to bring slots oropenings in the locking elements into registration whereby the saidelements may be displaced from the locked position by means of the teethengaging with'the slots, and in displacing the locking elements, thebolt or catch is moved therewith. v

A still further important feature of the invention is that in operatingthe lock described, the control handle or knob is rotated in ananticlockwise and clockwise direction in sequence whereby each lockingelement or collar is rotated until it reaches a position when the slotstherein are in registration at which position a displacement of thecontrol handle or knob or portion thereof permits either the lockingelements to move past and out of engagement with the locking teeth orvice versaaccording to the design to release the catch or bolt.

Other features of this invention will be described hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawing in which:-

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the combination look as adapted to asafe door.

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view of Figure 1.

Figure 3. is a sectional elevation of the combination locking mechanism.1

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the combination locking mechanism withthe base plate removed.

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the combination lock.

According to one form of carrying my inven- 4 tion into practicaleffect, the improved lock may comprise a base plate 6 on which is formedan upraised rib 1 extending to the periphery of said plate 6 from nearthe centre thereof. This rib l has formed thereon a plurality of teethor pins 8. Adjacent the inner end of the rib I is a recess or slot 9formed through the base plate 6 to permit said plate 6 to be moved atright angles to its axial centre line in order topermit unlockingmechanism to be operated as hereinafter .de-

scribed, the said slot 9 also limiting the movement of said plate 6.

The slot 9 of the base plate 6 engages with a rectangular or othershaped projection I0 formed on the rear of a disc or circular plate I Ihaving a plurality of concentric recesses or grooves I2 formed on thefront thereof and into which recesses are freely and independentlydisposed locking elements I3 comprising rings or collars.

A radial slot I4 is also formed through this circular plate I I toreceive the rib I on the base plate 3 so that the top of the teeth 8formed in said rib 7 become flush with the front face of the circularplate II and the spaces I5 between said teeth coincide with thecircumferential grooves I2 in said circular plate II to permit thelocking elements I3 to be rotated in theirrespective grooves I2 when thebase plate 6 is disposed in the locking position.

A spindle It extends from the centre of the disc or circular plate IIand is threaded at its upper end to receive a cap I? and locking nut I8,the inner surface of the cap I? having concentrically arranged thereonrecesses or grooves l9 to correspond with the grooves I2 in the disc orcircular plate II and fit over the upper circumferential edges of thelocking elements I3 in a manner to permit said elements I3 to be rotatedwithin their grooves I2 and I9.

Mounted to the disc or circular plate II is a flanged casing 23 whichcompletely covers the locking elements I 3 and retaining cap I1, theflange 2! of the casing engaging with a recess 22 in the circular plateII and being held in a revolvable manner by a nut 23, the periphery ofsaid plate II being threaded for the purpose.

The flange 2| of the casing is provided with a cut-out 24 through whichthe teeth 8 and rib 'I on the base plate 3 are permitted to pass whenthe locking elements I3 are disposed in an unlocked position.

Projecting inwardly from the interior wall of the flanged casing 20 andpreferably near the flange 2| thereof is a projecting lug or pin 25 andfor the purpose of assembly of the casing 20 and associated parts a slot26 is provided in the retaining cap I! and through which the pin 25passes.

Each of the locking elements I 3, as before mentioned, is capable ofindependent rotation and are arranged concentrically around each otherand provided with lugs 21 projecting exteriorly and interiorly from thewall thereof and in the same plane as the lug 25 on the flanged casing23. The respective lugs 2! on the locking elements I3 are adapted toengage with corresponding lugs 21 on the adjacent locking element I3,the engagement of the lugs 2'! with each other causing the lockingelements I3 to rotate in unison, that is to say, one locking element I3on being rotated uninterruptedly in a clockwise or anti-clockwisedirection will, after passing through a. number of degrees of rotation,pick up the adjacent inner locking element I3 which, in turn, picks upthe locking element I3 within it whereby the said locking elements I3may all be caused to'rotate in unison if desired. Similarly the lug 25on the flanged casing 20 after said casing passing through a number ofdegrees of rotation registers with the lug 2'! on the outer collar orlocking element I3 and causes said outer collar to rotate in unisontherewith.

Each of the locking elements I3 is provided with a cut-out 28 on theedge adjacent the disc or circular plate II and through which the rib Iand teeth 8 on the base plate 6 are adapted to move when cut-outs 28 ofall the locking elements I3 and the cut-out 24 on the flange 2| of thecasing 20 are in alignment.

With the elements I3 and casing 23 in this position the base plate 6 isadapted to be moved thereby permitting unlocking means connected withsaid base plate 6 to be operated and, in one embodiment of theinvention, I will refer to its use in conjunction with the door of asafe and, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, the lockingmechanism being disposed between the outer casing 29 of the safe and theinner lining 33 thereof.

. In order to operate the mechanism, the top of the flanged casing 23 isprovided with a slot 3| or like means adapted to receive the head 32 ofan extension shaft 33 which passes through the outer casing 29 of thesafe to rotatably engage with a control dial 34 but be permitted to moveaxially independently thereof, a feather 35 being provided for thepurpose. Fixedly mounted to the outer end of the extension shaft 33 is acountersunk operating knob 36 having recesses 37 for finger-grippingpurposes. The knob 36 is normally held flush with the control dial 34 bya spring 38, the said spring 38 normally retaining the head 32 of theextension shaft 33 in contact with the slot 3| in the top of the flangedcasing 23 to permit the casing 23 to be rotated when the dial 34 isturned and the knob 36 in normal position.

Freely disposed on the extension shaft 33 and adjacent the top of theflanged casing 23 but exteriorly thereof is a toothed pinion 33 adaptedu to be in constant engagement with a rack 43, an oppositely disposedrack 4I being also in mesh with the pinion 39, which rack 4I acts as alocking bolt. The rack 40 is connected to the base plate by an arm 42 soas to move in unison therewith.

Fixedly mounted to the extension shaft 33 and disposed adjacent thefreely rotatable pinion 39 is a collar or flange 4-3 with dowels 44thereon, the said dowels being adapted to engage in correspondingrecesses or openings 45 in the face of the pinion 39 adjacently disposedbut only when the operating knob 33 has been depressed. and rotated tobring the said dowels 44 and openings 45 in alignment, such depressingaction of the knob 36 also disengaging the head 32 of the extensionshaft 33 from the casing 23 to perrrnt the said shaft 33 being rotatedindependently of the casing 20, but before said shaft 33 can be rotatedto operate the pinion 39 and racks 43 and 4I and associated mechanism,the flanged casing 23 and locking elements I3 within it must be arrangedto permit the rib I and teeth 8 formed on the base plate 6 to passthrough the respective cut-outs 23 and 24 in the locking elements I3 andcasing flange 2! thereby permitting the said base plate 6 and associatedracks 4D and M to be operated by the rotation of the dowels 44.

In order to prevent the retaining nut 23 of the flanged casing 20 frombeing removed by any unauthorized person in cases where the flangedcasing 20forms the control dial, a transverse bar 43 is provided in therear of the disc or circular plate II, which bar 43 extends to theperiphery of the nut 23 and prevents same from being removed from thedisc II before removal of the bar46 which is mounted to the disc I I byscrews 41. The control dial 34 is provided with an indicator orprojection 48 to provide indication means for setting the dial 34 inrelation to projections 49 disposed on the outer casing 23 of the safe,the said latter projections 49 being concentrically arranged in themanner of a clock dial, such sets of projections 48 and 49 permittingthe lock to be operated by sense of touch in the darkness.

To operate the lock the user, being aware of the combination, impartsfirstly rotation to the control dial 34 whereby all the locking elementsl3 may rotate in one direction to ensure that the lock is ready foradjustment.

As the projections 49 on the casing 29 correspond with predeterminedsettings for each looking element l3, the operator rotates the dial 34to effect the setting preferably of the innermost locking element l3 toadjust the cut-out 28 therein with the circular plate H to register orcoincide with the radial slot l4 in alignment with the rib I and teeth 8of the circular plate.

The control dial 34 is then rotated in an opposite direction to adjustthe next adjacent locking element l3 to bring its recess 28 intoalignment with the previously adjusted element l3 to be in alignmentwith the said teeth 8.

Each locking element I3 is adjusted by continuous rotation in ananti-clockwise and clockwise direction by the control dial 34, theengagement of the respective lugs 25 and 27 between the casing 20 andthe locking elements l3 effecting the rotation.

When the casing 20 and all the locking elements l3 have the respectivecut-outs. 24 and 28 in alignment with the teeth 8 the operatin knob 36is depressed to disengage the head 32 of the extension shaft 33 from theslot 3| in the flanged casing 20 and thereby permit the unlocking rack4| to be operated by the continued rotation of the control dial 34without displacing the locking elements from their position.

In another embodiment of the invention when the lock is attached to handor cash bags or portmanteaux or the like, the catch on one flap or sideof the article may be in the form of a recess to engage with a bolt orprojection connected to the disc or circular plate ll adjacent the baseplate 6, which base plate 6 becomes the fixed member and the lock andassociated parts the lateral moving member so that when all the lockingelements 13 have their respective cut-outs 28 in alignment with theteeth 8 of the base plate 6 the flanged casing 20 may be moved laterallywhereby the said locking elements l3 move laterally along the rib andcarry with them the before-mentioned bolt or projection.

In the above modification the invention is of neat and compactappearance, being substantially small incomparison with the size of thetypes of locks at present employed utilizing the combination principlesso that the lock provides forefiicient application to cash bags orbusiness bags in which valuable papers may be carried.

In applying the lock to safes and doors a further handle may be employedif necessary other than the operating knob 36, which handle would beoperatively connected with the lock or catch whereby, after the controldial had been. set toadjust the locking mechanism to permit same tomove,the handle could then be adjusted to effeet the displacement of thecatch or bolt to open the door or safe.

If desired the invention may be utilized in conjunction with theswitching mechanism of radiosets or the like to prevent independentadjustment for the condensers and eliminate unauthorized use of the set.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. An improved combination lock characterized by a'plurality of circularcollars concentrically and rotatably arranged in grooves within aflanged casing, the said collars and casing having cut-outs adapted tobe brought into alignment to release means for actuating unlockingmechanism.

2. An improved combination lock characterized by a plurality of lockingelements concentrically and revolvably disposed between grooved platesthe said elements being adapted to be independently positioned to bringcut-outs. formed therein into alignment and release associated means forunlocking an article to which the lock is attached.

3. An improved combination lock, comprising a plurality of concentriclocking elements rotatably disposed between grooved plates locatedwithin a flanged casing, lugs projecting exteriorly and interiorly fromeach element to impart rotation from one element to the adjacent innerelement, the outer element being rotated by a lug projecting interiorlyfrom. the wall of the flanged casing rotatably connected to one of thegrooved plates, said casing on being rotated in sequence in ananti-clockwise and clockwise direction to predetermined settingseffectsthe positioning of the locking elements. to bring said cutoutsformed therein in. alignment to permit an independent section completingthe concentric grooves in one of said plates to be displaced for thepurpose of actuating unlocking means.

4. An improved combination lock characterized by a casing adapted to berotated in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction to eifect apredetermined setting of locking elements concentrically and revolvablyarranged within said cas ing and thereby permit means associated withsaid elements to be moved by a further manipulation of the casingwhereby an article to which the lock is attached may be opened.

5. An improved combination lock comprising a plurality of lockingelements concentrically and rotatably disposed within a casing slidablymounted in relation to a base plate, a radial rib on said base plate,teeth formed in said rib and adapted to seat in the locked positionbetween the locking elements. cut-outs formed in the locking elementseach of which elements is adapted to be independently set to bring allthe cut-outs. into registration and alignment with the teeth to permitthe said elements to be displaced from the locked position to effect theunlocking of a bolt or catch and thereby open an article to which thelock is attached.

6. An improved combination lock according to claim 3 and wherein therotatable casing has an upraised indicator or marking adapted to be setin relation to fixed upraised indicators surbe independently positionedto bring said cutouts formed therein into alignment and permit therelease of associated means for unlocking an article to which the lockis attached.

9. An improved combination lock, comprising a plurality of lockingelements concentrically and revolvably arranged" in grooved plateslocated within a casing, each of the locking elements having a cut-outor recess adapted to be brought into alignment with an independentmovable section forming portion of one of the grooved plates to permitsaid section to be displaced in an outward direction for actuating meansto unlock the article to which the lock is attached.

10. An improved combination lock, comprising a plurality of lockingelements concentrically and revolvably arranged in grooved plateslocated within a casing, each of the locking elements having a cut-outor recess adapted to be brought into alignment with an independentmovable sec- 7 tion forming portion of one of the grooved plates topermit the movable section to be displaced in an outward direction, suchdisplacement preventing said casing and locking elements being ro tatedwhile said section actuates means to unlock the article to which thelock is attached.

11. An improved combination lock, comprising a plurality of lockingelements concentrically and revolvably located within a casing, themanipulation of said casing effecting the operation of the lockingelements to allow the release of a catch or bolt associated with saidlock to effect the opening of an article to which the lock is attached.

12. An improved combination lock, comprising a plurality of concentriclocking elements revolvably mounted in and associated with a rotatablecasing, a slidable bolt or plate in operable conjunction with saidlocking element s, means associated with said elements wherebyrotational impulses imparted to the outer locking element aretransmitted to the inner elements according to the directionof rotationimparted to the casing whereby rotating the casing in a clockwise andanti-clockwise direction the locking elements are set to a predeterminedrelease position in accordance with the casing setting to permit saidslidable bolt or plate to be operated and displaced from the lockedposition for the purpose of opening the article to which the lock isattached.

13. An improved combination lock, comprising a plurality of lockingelements concentrically and revolvably arranged in grooved plateslocated within a casing detachably connected with the extension shaft ofa combined control dial and operating knob, the dial effecting therotation of the casing in an anti-clockwise and clockwise direction, insequence, to effect the position of each locking element to release abase plat-e at which time a depression of the operating knob permits therotation of said extension shaft and control dial independently of saidcasing to displace said base plate from its locked position andsimultaneously operate unlocking mechanism to open the article to whichthe lock is attached.

14. An improved combination lock comprising a plurality of independentlocking elements concentrically and rotatably arranged between groovedplates, a cut-out in each element, a rotatable flanged casing detachablyconnected to one of the said grooved plates and completely housing thelocking elements, a projecting lug on the inner wall of said casing andadapted when rotated through a predetermined number of degrees toregister with a lug projecting exteriorly from the outer lockingelement, the for mer lug effecting the rotation of said outer element, alug projecting interiorly from the outer locking element and adaptedwhen rotated through apredetermined number of degrees to register with alug projecting exteriorly from the adjacent inner locking element toeffect the rotation of said inner element, the said casing when rotatedin an anti-clockwise and clockwise direction effecting by means of thesaid lugs the alignment of all the cut-outs in said velements and acut-out in the flange of the casing with teeth disposed on a slidablebase plate forming portion of the grooves of the plate adjacent theflange of the casing, to permit said teeth and base plate to bedisplaced outwardly to actuate unlocking means to open an article towhich th lock is attached.

15. An improved combination lock comprising a plurality of lockingelements concentrically and revolvably arranged in grooved plateslocated within a casing adapted to be rotated by an extension shaftdetachably connected with said casing, the said shaft having a controldial slidable thereon and a spring-controlled operating knob mountedthereto, the operating knob disengaging the shaft from said casing andengaging said shaft with a pinion whereby on the rotation of the knoband control dial unlocking means are adapted to be actuated when thelook ing elements within the casing are in a predetermined position.

16. An improved combination lock comprising a plurality of lockingelements concentrically and revolvably arranged between grooved plateslocated within a casing adapted to be rotated by an extension shaftdetachably connected thereto,

the said shaft having a control'dial slidable thereon and aspring-controlled operating knob mounted thereto, the dial effecting therotation of said casing to position the locking elements in an unlockedposition in relation to a slidable base plate, the operating knobdisengaging the shaft from said casing and engaging said shaft with apinion having means associated therewith for unlocking purposes, saidmeans moving in unison with the said base plate when the lockingelements within the casing are in an unlocked position.

FRED BURNS.

